How would you spend 30k?

[NAdams]

Here is my dilemma....I'm about ready to replace my 2001 Burb and would like to get a 4x4 SUV that will haul our family of four. Our needs are as follows, off-road ready....not rock-crawler ready but able to take us off the beaten path camping and exploring, capable of towing a small AT type trailer, dependable....I want to own this rig for a while. We are an Air Force family and we currently live in west Texas...so we have quite a haul to get to the playgrounds of Colorado and Utah. (If we weren't so far removed from the fun, I would think we could make due with our Jeep Wrangler LJ but I can't subject my family to long road trips in a soft-top Jeep at this point.)
I'm looking at the Toyota 4-Runner and the Land Cruisers. So back to the question, is my money better spent on a new 4-Runner or a 3-4 year old Land Cruiser? I think both would serve us well but would like input from the experts regarding both these models. Thanks in advance for your help.

Nate

 

[BogusBlake]

'Cruiser.

 

[bigwapitijohnny]

Buy an 'old' 4runner and get an expedition trailer...enjoy the fuel economy and invest the rest...retire early :wings:

 

[Clutch]

Would have to buy used, but, if I had 30K buring a hole in my pocket. Heck, I bet I could do it for under 20K...I have been looking lately.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

You could get a brand new Xterra Offroad package (everything on it) for about 28-30,000.....

 

[NAdams]

Think the Nissan will last 200k?

 

[Tucson T4R]

Think the Nissan will last 200k?

:lurk: :lurk:

 

[7wt]

Buy an 'old' 4runner and get an expedition trailer...enjoy the fuel economy and invest the rest...retire early :wings:

Great idea, trailers are the way to go if you ask me. Now I just need to come up with one!

 

[slooowr6]

I've not ride inside of a Land Cruiser so I can't compare it with the 4th gen 4 runner. The latest gen 4 runner is a VERY nice ride on highway and very capable off road with a lot of after market support. With 30k I would suggest get a 2-3 year old 4 runner, you might want a V8 if towing is planned in the future. You can find a good 03+ 4 runner and still have $ left to outfit it.
You can copy what Tucson T4R did to his 4runner and save you a lot of time researching.
:costumed-smiley-007

 

[pete.wilson]

Hey

If your burb runs reasonably well and is reliable; I would fix it up into a more trail capable rig. You could for about 10-15K fix it up and have a better all round vehicle than anything else newer and the difference you save would buy a lot of gasoline, groceries and time off from work to go have fun. I don't need a new vehicle since my old 94 Sub works good and is reliable and my old 99 cherokee's (V8 and a I6) although smaller are still very capable off road or in the snow (mmmm heated seats, yes)! If you still want something smaller, I would go with a 4runner.

Pete Wilson

 

[mountainpete]

Nate,

How old are your kids? If they are a bit older or as they grow, you might find the 4Runner a bit tight - get your entire family to sit in one at a dealer.

Don't count out a Sequioa - it's closer to a size your family may be used to. They are great family haulers, reliable and are quite capable for medium trails. You are limited for aftermarket accessories, but there a some good ones. Donahoe makes coilovers, ARB has bumpers, etc... Give them a good hard look. You can often find a low mile version for a decent price.

With that said, a 100 series Cruiser is always a great option.

Pete

 

[Grim Reaper]

Would have to buy used, but, if I had 30K buring a hole in my pocket. Heck, I bet I could do it for under 20K...I have been looking lately.

Yep that would be about what I would be doing with 30K or a set up like that with a work shell and a trailer.

 

[bigreen505]

Think the Nissan will last 200k?

Can't speak for a new Xterra, but I sold my Pathfinder at about 330,000. Still, I think the 4Runner is a better all around family vehicle than an Xterra and are easy enough to build as time, budget and needs allow.

 

[flywgn]

Nate, think long and hard about giving up your Suburban. We passed ours (an '01, 4WD 1500 w/350) on to our daughter and son-in-law (and granddaughter) when we chose to move to something "more practical".

Andy, son-in-law, turned it into a pre-runner. Lift kit, reservoir shocks fore and aft, new engine...all the goodies...for a lot less than 10K. They got laughs from competitors while pre-running the Vegas to Reno, the Primm 300, the Baja 1K, et al, in an air-conditioned Suburban.

The original engine had accumulated nearly 200K miles, ergo the replacement. Andy and Anne used the car until just last month when they, in turn, passed it on to Anne's cousin (wife Diana's niece) who has taken it down to Mexico to use for their 'in-country' vehicle.

Diana and I missed the Suburban almost immediately. For a family day/expedition drive it's hard to beat. Rugged, almost bulletproof, and a tested auto. We had one of the early ones (a '54 which was a "Carryall") and loved it as much.

We never felt that the longer wheelbase prevented us from going places. Sometimes we had to take sharp entry/exit washes at an angle, but we managed. For a family (we were only three) it's a fabulous vehicle. Even for two and a dog it has its merits.

We slept in them. Piled bales of hay in them. Packed tons of stuff on their roof-racks. Towed trailers. Took them to the Yukon (territory, not the other GM wannabe) and Baja California (pre-pavement). Made numerous coast-to-coast trips. (One of ours went from San Diego to Nova Scotia and back to Santa Barbara during a summer trek.) They never complained. Not once did we ever have a mechanical failure.

And, oh yes, when the kids said that cousin Trish and husband were thinking of buying the '01, we told Anne and Andy that we would stand next in line for it shoud they have a change of heart.

Disclaimer: Neither I, nor anyone in my family works for GM. This is NOT a testimonial.

All told, we've owned four Suburbans since 1964. We may even own another in the future--especially if GM sticks the Duramax in one. Maybe there's even such an animal out there.

Good luck in your search and in your decision-making.

Allen R

 

[tacollie]

The 100's are awesome. My brother has one that is set up pretty sweet. The only problem is parts are expensive. Besides that I would say go with the 100. His is an 02 with 190,000 miles and doesn't burn a drop of oil and drives like the day it was new.